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Eco Factor: Energy storage system could deliver up to 20 percent savings in fuel consumption.

Funded by the UK’s Technology Strategy Board as part of its Low-Carbon Vehicle Initiative, the “Flybus” consortium is aiming to provide a cost-effective alternative to battery-hybrid buses. The system, which is based on the use of flywheel energy storage system, could deliver up to 20 percent savings in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions during city operations.

The key is the use of a compact high-speed flywheel energy storage system, which recycles kinetic energy as the bus decelerates. This energy, which is usually wasted as heat, is stored in the flywheel, spinning at speeds of around 60,000rpm.

As the vehicle pulls away from rest, the CVT returns energy from the flywheel to the bus, ensuring that load on the engine is reduced and so is fuel consumption. During this process, the flywheel gives up energy and slows down until the next vehicle deceleration.